theoretical
Use Theoretical in a sentence
əˈrɛtAlso, the·o·ret·ic.
Origin:
1610–20; theoretic (< Late Latin theōrēticus < Greek theōrētikós, equivalent to theōrēt(ós) to be seen (verbid of theōreîn to view) + -ikos -ic) + -al1
1610–20; theoretic (< Late Latin theōrēticus < Greek theōrētikós, equivalent to theōrēt(ós) to be seen (verbid of theōreîn to view) + -ikos -ic) + -al1
Related forms
the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
an·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjective
an·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
non·the·o·ret·ic, adjective
non·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To Theoretical
00:10
Theoretical
is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
theoretical or theoretic (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl, ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | of or based on theory |
| 2. | lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical |
| 3. | using or dealing in theory; impractical |
| theoretic or theoretic | |
| —adj | |
| theo'retically or theoretic | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
theoretical
1616, from L.L. theoreticus "of or pertaining to theory" (c.397), from Gk. theoretikos "contemplative, pertaining to theory" (by Aristotle contrasted to praktikos), from theoretos "that may be seen or considered," from theorein "to consider, look at" (see theory).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
theoretical the·o·ret·i·cal (thē'ə-rět'ĭ-kəl)
adj.
Of, relating to, or based on theory.
Restricted to theory; not practical.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
It's not easy for such a device to cross any serious border, but the theoretical threat remains.
Decisions of this kind should be made not so much on theoretical grounds as on the basis of experience.
But it's always interesting to have theoretical predictions confirmed.
His strength was in theoretical physics, but he was being forced to sit in a laboratory making thin films of beryllium.
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